When I started my new position my first task was to upgrade the current cc:Mail system (running on dial-up) to a Microsoft Exchange 2000 system. That cc:Mail system was a joke. Anyway - it was a difficult journey for me but I've done it and everything is working. A major problem we're experiencing now are slow and sometimes very slow access from remote locations and users. Everyone can join in on this one... please help. Here is a breakdown of how we are configured:
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Corporate office - NY - (30 Workstations) Full T1 Data
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Domain Controller 1:
Compaq ML530, Dual 2.4 Xeons, 1GB Memory, Raid 5, RIB Lights Out Edition
HP NC7132 Gigabit NIC
Windows 2000 Server w/ SP3
Corporate File/Application Server
DNS, DHCP
Domain Controller 2:
Compaq ML530, Dual 2.4 Xeons, 1GM Memory, Raid 5, RIB Lights Out Edition
HP NC7132 Gigabit NIC
Compaq 110/220 SDLT Tape Drive w/ Veritas Backup Exec 8.6
Windows 2000 Server w/ SP3
Exchange Server 2000 w/ SP3
DNS
(We also have a 2 server citrix farm w/ nfuse and antivirus server which I believe are unrealated so I'll leave them out for now...)
Both domain controllers are running at 1Gbps connected to a Dell Powerconnect 2508 (8 port 10/100/1000 unmanaged switch)
The Dell 2508 is connected to a 10/100/1000 port (Set to 1000 Full) on a 24 port Cisco 2950T switch.
The Cisco 2950T is connected to a Cisco PIX 515e UR
The PIX 515 is connected to a Cisco 1720 Router
The Router is connected to the Internet with a full T1 of data.
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Remote Offices and Network Connections:
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We have 7 remote offices - all have site to site VPN's connecting through their PIX firewalls to the Coporate PIX515
*ALL OUTLOOK CLIENTS ARE 2000 & 2002*
Office A - NY (5 workstations) - 384up x 2m down Cable Modem
Office B - MO (20 workstations) - 768k T1
Office C - MO (6 Workstations) - 256up x 768down DSL
Office D- WI (10 Workstations) - 512K T1
Office E - GA (12 Workstations) - 768up x 512down DSL
Office F - OH (7 Workstations) - 384up x 128down DSL
Office G - CO (5 Workstations) - 384up x 384down SDSL
We have several remote users using a combination of dial-up, Cable, & DSL connections. Remote users access Outlook through the Cisco VPN Client
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Every outlook client seems to run very slow and I'm not sure why??? Is it simply because Exchange is bandwidth intensive and want's every office to have a full T1 of data? Is it because only one of the remote offices are actually a part of the active dirrectory forest? Thats right - Offices B - C either have their own domains or have no domain at all therefoer they all need to enter user account credentials to access Outlook.
I considered DNS as a real player in this investegation and have tried to tweek it but have not had any success...
One of the other major items I've been playing with is the configuration of the Outlook clients themselves. Currently, I have most users configured to leave all e-mail on the server so that we can be sure it's properly backed up. I COULDN'T FIND A WAY TO HAVE MAIL DOWNLOADED TO PERSONAL FOLDERS WHILE STILL LEAVING A COPY ON THE SERVER. IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO DO THIS WITH OUTLOOK 2002, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! Yes, I know POP has this option, but you lose other important exchange features.
I have many users configured to use OST files... is the OST file the replacement for the functionality I stated above? Many of my complaints come when synchronization occurs...
I have to believe that there are many others asking the same questions... so, please help not only me, but, everyone else out there seeking the same answers.
-Joe_C
